Fundamental British Values underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Great Britain valuing our community and celebrating diversity of the UK. Meridian High School promotes fundamental British values in line with the Government’s Prevent theme of the anti-terrorist strategy Contest. 

These British Values are democracy; individual liberty; the rule of law; mutual respect; tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. 

We define each below and provide some examples of practice. It is everyone’s duty to ensure they do not undermine these fundamental British values as detailed in the current Teacher Standards Part Two: Personal and Professional Conduct. 

Democracy 

Democracy can be seen as a state of society characterised by equality of rights and privileges. It can also refer to our nation’s electoral systems.

At Meridian High School, we promote the importance of democracy through:

• Weekly Votes for School’s sessions. Our students votes and views are shared with key organisations meaning they have the opportunity to inform and influence future policy and practice.
• Students are given a platform to influence the school through termly whole school surveys.
• Our student leadership team, report and provide feedback to key stakeholders.
• Visits to the Royal Courts of Justice
• Engaging in Topical Talks through The Economist

Individual Liberty

Individual liberty suggests the free exercise of rights generally seen as outside Government control. 

At Meridian High School, we promote the importance of individual liberty through such things as:

• The menu of extra-curricular activities and clubs, including extended studies.
• The provision of choice in the school restaurant within healthy boundaries.
• Students are offered autonomy over choices regarding academic pathways.
• Students are encouraged to voice views in lessons constructively.
• Our students have autonomy over hair colour and style enabling them to express themselves as individuals asthetically.

Rule of Law

All people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced. 

At Meridian High School, we promote the importance of the rule of law through such things as:  

• A shared code of conduct that is reviewed and agreed by all students termly.
• Marking and feedback, as well as home learning, prep, policies, where standards and expectations are explained clearly to students.
• Accountability is emphasised to all stakeholders including staff [Teacher’s Standards], students [Code of Conduct], and parents [Home school agreement]

Mutual Respect 

The proper regard for an individual’s dignity, which is reciprocated. 

At Meridian High School, we promote the importance of mutual respect through:

• The student code of conduct
• The school values for teaching and learning: Challenge, Learn and Achieve.
• Our behaviour for learning values: resilience, ambition and respect. 
• An embedded Thrive approach to supporting students' behaviour and emotional development. 
• The expectation of smart dress for students and staff
• The PSHE scheme of work promotes mutual respect through the skills developed in the cyclical approach to topics across the five years.

Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs 

A fair, objective, and permissive attitude to those whose faith and beliefs may differ from one’s own. 

• At Meridian High School, we promote the importance of tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs through such things as: 
• Our World Views Curriculum at Key Stage 3. 
• All students study Religious Studies at KS4.
• Tutor group reading and independent biography reading that is designed to be specifically diverse in content.